they notice something

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they notice something" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing an observation or realization made by a group of people. Example: "As they walked through the museum, they notice something unusual about the painting that caught their attention."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

When they notice something, they take photos or videos to prove that the other resident is breaking the rules.

The New York Times

One of the things I've heard anecdotally from a lot of people is that some of the support functions staff, particularly if they're engaged and empowered by the clinical staff, too, to be early warning systems when they notice something going wrong.

Cornell University

Alarm systems, automated plant equipment, RFID readers, wireless networking hubs and GPS-empowered devican callall report when they notice something.

Forbes

This will allow your team to be empowered and encouraged to report these things as soon as they notice something slightly off.

Forbes

If they walk in the house and they notice something that hasn't been done, they feel compelled to do it, right now.

Forbes

As the brothers play, they notice something is wrong and before they leave the pool, the figure emerges from the water.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

They have routinely texted each other if they noticed something while watching from afar.

The New York Times - Sports

But as the computers were being hauled away, they noticed something odd: the stickers were gone.

The New York Times

But when Dr. Géli and his colleagues analyzed those aftershocks they noticed something rather odd.

The New York Times - Science

Then they noticed something wrong with White's feet on the pitcher's rubber.

The New York Times - Sports

Mr. Lewis's team cross-referenced the authors' names with every scrap of North Korean chemical research they could find, until they noticed something odd.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "they notice something" to indicate a general observation or realization made by a group of people. Ensure the context clearly identifies who "they" refers to.

Common error

Avoid using "they notice something" when the group being referred to is ambiguous or not previously defined. Always ensure the reader knows who "they" represents to prevent confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they notice something" functions as a subject-verb-object construction, where "they" is the subject, "notice" is the verb, and "something" is the object. This construction indicates an action of observing or becoming aware of something. Examples from Ludwig show the phrase used to introduce observations made by a group.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Academia

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "they notice something" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase to introduce an observation made by a group. According to Ludwig, it is used across diverse contexts, ranging from news to academic writing, with a generally neutral register. While simple, clarity regarding the group "they" refers to is crucial. Alternatives such as "they observe something" or "they realize something" offer subtle shifts in meaning. Understanding these nuances, coupled with the Ludwig AI's real-world examples, empowers writers to use the phrase effectively and avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they observe something

This alternative is more formal and emphasizes a deliberate act of watching.

they perceive something

This suggests a deeper understanding or awareness rather than a simple observation.

they detect something

Implies discovering something not immediately obvious.

they realize something

Highlights a moment of understanding or becoming aware.

they become aware of something

Focuses on the gradual process of gaining awareness.

they spot something

Informal and suggests a quick or accidental discovery.

they identify something

Implies recognizing and naming something specific.

something catches their eye

This is an idiomatic expression meaning something attracts their attention.

they find something

Focuses on the act of locating or discovering something.

they discern something

This suggests careful observation and understanding.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "they notice something" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "they observe something", "they perceive something", or "they detect something". The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey. For example, "they observe something" suggests a deliberate act of watching.

Is there a difference between "they notice something" and "they realize something"?

Yes, while both indicate awareness, "they notice something" implies a simple observation, whereas "they realize something" suggests a deeper understanding or a moment of insight. "they realize something" often follows a period of thought or discovery.

What's a more informal alternative to "they notice something"?

Informal alternatives include "they spot something" or using an idiomatic expression like "something catches their eye". These options are suitable for casual conversation or less formal writing. For example, "they spot something" suggests a quick or accidental discovery.

When should I use "they notice something" instead of "they see something"?

"They see something" simply means they visually perceive it. "They notice something" implies that they pay attention to it and recognize its significance. Noticing involves a level of cognitive processing beyond simple sight. For example, if tourists walking in the park "they notice something" odd in the animal's behaviour.